Book Review: Network Know-How (Win a Copy!)

Most people think of computer networks as something that IT guys and the Geek Squad are best equipped to deal with.But did you know that any home with more than one computer or wireless device can benefit from knowing network basics? This essential guide for the accidental admin can keep your home and office efficient – and can save you money over hiring a professional.

I knew I was going to like this book, when it opened with a quote from Henry David Thoreau: “We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas: but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate.”How true, and how fitting.

John Ross has experience with both the wired and wireless networks of such companies as Motorola and AT&T, and yet he is exquisite at making networking knowledge something that even the simplest home office can easily apply.His advice is presented with clear language and effective graphics in this easy read from No Starch Press (the guys who brought us How to Be a Geek Goddess.)You’ll know right away if the book is for you: Did you plan on never needing to run a computer network, but have suddenly found yourself with more than one computer in your home or office?

The applications for the information are endless. Here are some examples of households that could use Network Know-How:

Homeschoolers with more than one computer in their classroom.(Even two kids with separate PC’s will benefit from the file sharing applications.)

Road warriors who are tired of the syncing process between their laptop and desktop.

Anyone interested in home automation (the control of several appliances and electronics from one or more master remotes. Security systems and home entertainment centers are common candidates.)

The thousands of us who have dealt (unsuccessfully) with a finicky router or other wireless device

The book starts out with some basic theory, which is surprisingly helpful when starting your home network.(When you can understand how your machines can work together, it makes for a much simpler application.)It continues with detailed directions on how to set up and configure all of your devices (shared printers, for example).It concludes with a complete troubleshooting guide (which alone is worth the price of the book.)

Networking is going to be a reality for almost every home.If you don’t know how to do it, you should learn.(And save yourself the cost of having a professional bill you by the hour.)

I really shouldn’t have thrown out that Linksys router that was acting up.I now know the problem (and could have saved $60 by reading this first.)

While we would all like to think that setting up a wireless or wired network is as easy as “plugging it in,” you can get much more from your computer and peripherals by understanding all the options for the most efficient system.This guide can, at the very minimum, help you install a router without the often buggy software setup that many routers come with.With more involved applications, it can give you ultimate freedom (and security) with a well-designed and extensive home network.

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I would love this book. Our router keeps deciding to restart the internet randomly (channel conflict? overheating? who knows!?) I suspect the book might not help with that, but at least I'll set up a better network if I have it when I finally give up and just get a new router finally. Heh.

I'd love (and need!) this book. I'm one of those that just wants to be able to turn the computer on and go and have it work perfectly all the time. I'm not well-informed on the more technical aspects. :)

I could so use this book - as the tech person in my social circle I'm constantly getting calls about how XXX person just bought really cool XXX device and now they can't get it to work with xxx.
I miss the old days when people didn't try to do these things at home -LOL.
This weekend it looks like I've got to figure out how to get a new plasma TV to talk to someone's laptop... any one have a any tips for that?? If so please let me know :)

Looks like I'm too late for my comment to warrant having the book..but, like the others, I would love to have the book...I'm pretty computer literate, but could always use the extra help...my daughter was my computer person but she moved and took my computer geek with her...:o)...she helps when she can, but is too far away for hands-on help.

This sounds like a great book that I could really use. I'm computer literate just enough to get myself out of small problems, but not do a lot of the more complicated stuff. This book looks like it would greatly help me move further down the path of computer independence. Thanks for the chance to win!

We have 2 laptops, 1 PC, a Wii, an XBox 360, 2 WiFi BlackBerrys and a Vonage router, all accessing our wireless router; they don't all play nicely together. It would be fantastic to be able to troubleshoot problems, rather than just resetting everything and hoping for the best.

My husband and I once tried to network our three home computers together... it was a day wasted. We tried lots of times and lots of ways. Being two computer-savvy people, we were very disappointed in ourselves. I could really use this book!

My husband and I once tried to network our three home computers together... it was a day wasted. We tried lots of times and lots of ways. Being two computer-savvy people, we were very disappointed in ourselves. I could really use this book!

This is why I love coming here. You always have good ideas and often times crucial info for things I'm unaware of or just dying to know more about. This is one of those 'dying to know more about' moments. We just bought a second computer and I've been wondering if and how we could get them to work together. This book looks like it would answer these questions. Keep up the good work!

I like your article about how this book helped you and can help others. I am currently trying to set up a home network so that my wife and I can use the internet together. I think this book might be able to help me out. Hope I can get one to review.

I am wanting to move my pc dvr by the tv. I will then need to create a network to hook it to my working pc and the internet for listings. This will be just in time to help me figure out how to do all this. Hope I win.

Thank you for the opportunity to win this book. I have a granddaughter who is starting university in the Fall and she has asked me to help her set up a Home Network for her and her high-school sister.I plan to use one of my older PCs along with her current desktop. This may prove to be a stiff learning curve for me but I am more than willing to give it a try.